Johnson claimed by Tampa Bay – update

I just got off the phone with Dan Johnson’s agent, who said that Tampa Bay claimed Johnson this morning. Johnson confirmed it, as well.

“It’s been a long 10 days,” Johnson said. “I’ve just got to get back into the swing of things. I can’t complain, it’s a big-league job. I’m still going.”

Apparently the A’s couldn’t swing a deal for Johnson, but the team had hoped to hang onto him rather than lose him to waivers. Johnson was out of options, though.

With Cliff Floyd out for a month or so, Johnson is likely to be DHing a lot, and he could do well hitting in that ballpark. He also has had a lot of success against some of the AL East clubs, so he could be a nice pickup for the Rays.

Oakland would have liked to have Johnson in reserve at Sacramento if Mike Sweeney or Daric Barton were to miss any extended timee. Meanwhile, Jack Cust, the A’s left-handed hitting DH, has been struggling to get going this season.

It remains surprising that the Giants apparently had no interest in Johnson.